Olly Alexander on ‘pearl-clutching’ over Eurovision performance: ‘People don’t like to see sexuality portrayed in that assertive way’
“In that performance, there’s nothing explicit happening" points out Olly
Olly Alexander has reflected on the “assertive” sexuality in his 2024 Eurovision Song Contest performance – and the “pearl-clutching” response it generated.
The former Years & Years frontman, who appears on the cover of the new issue of Attitude, performed his song ‘Dizzy’ at last year’s Eurovision in Malmö, Sweden.
Reflecting on backlash to the aesthetic of the performance, the ‘When We Kiss’ singer said he was “taken aback”.
“It was a bit dirty and rough” – Olly Alexander on Eurovision performance
“In that performance, there’s nothing explicit happening,” the 34-year-old points out in his Attitude cover interview. “But once I started doing it in production rehearsals, some of the responses… People couldn’t believe it.
“They were so outraged. I expected some pearl-clutching, but I was a bit taken aback by how many pearls were clutched.”
The ‘If You’re Over Me’ singer continued: “I thought it was playful and sporty, but people don’t like to see sexuality portrayed in that assertive way. And it was a bit dirty and rough. We were sticking our tongues out. It was confrontational.
“A lot of people watching probably didn’t have a point of reference for that. Maybe they felt threatened or scared. Possibly. Or perhaps they just fucking hated it.”
To read Olly’s cover interview in full, check out issue 363 of Attitude magazine, available to order here, and alongside 15 years of back issues on the free Attitude app.
